OBSTINATE

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 16 Monday in Ordinary Time is just one word, one theme, “Obstinate”.

It’s just one word in today’s first reading. The translation we heard went like this, “So obstinate had the Lord made Pharaoh….” [Exodus 14:8].

Other translations use different words for “obstinate”. Some use the word, “hardened” or “stiffened” or “stubborn”. The Hebrew root word is the rough sounding word, “chazaq” - which can be translated “firm” or “strong” or “arrogant” or “hard” or “obstinate” or “like a fortress”.

Whatever word is used, we know and have experienced the feeling of being hard headed or obstinate or stubborn in ourselves and in others.

Some people get locked in on something. Some people won’t budge on certain issues. Some people have their minds made up - and no matter what we say or think - it will not unlock a locked mind. It will not thaw a frozen head of ice.

Obstinate….

Some people are more obstinate than others.

Some people - it all depends on the issue.

However, to be honest, don’t we all have some things we won’t budge on.

THE FIRST QUESTION

So I guess for starters the first question is, “How do I deal with the issue of stubbornness or obstinacy in others?”

Notice I made the first question about others.

When it comes to an issue like obstinacy, if we are considering it as a negative, we think of others having the hard head. We get frustrated because of their unwillingness to negotiate or compromise or change. We get fixed on them - and don’t see ourselves perhaps as stubborn as them.

Next, if we make this quality a plus, calling it strength, not being wishy washy - or “a pillar of soundness” - then we might be thinking of ourselves or people we like.

OURSELVES FIRST

So to be practical, if we want to deal with or face this issue, we have to start with ourselves. If we concentrate only on others who appear to us as hard headed - and unwilling to change - we lose every time. Why? Well, the other isn’t going to change.

The writer of our text in Exodus has God hardening the heart or making the heart of the Pharaoh stubborn or obstinate.

I would assume the reality was the Pharaoh became so furious - so hard headed - so obstinate - so used to calling the shots and getting his own way, that he led his army to destruction.

In a recent sermon, I mentioned that’s exactly what Captain Bligh does in the big book, Moby Dick. Nobody can tell him anything. Nobody could tell him he’s gone crazy in search of killing the big whale named, Moby Dick.

Unfortunately, when the boss goes off on something that leads to destruction, he or she can take the rest of the ship down as well.

How many companies and how many families and marriages have broken up because the head of the firm was so firm - that he or she wouldn’t budge - couldn’t or wouldn’t compromise - and as a result there was a great snap.

STEP BACK

I would also assume that the second step - after saying “I better look at myself first” is to step back - to assess what’s going on - to ask the big question: “Is this leading to the good or to evil - to life or to death?”

If it’s death and destruction, then something’s got to give - before something snaps. Hello, it’s me! For starters I need to step back - take a walk - talk over the situation with someone who will be objective - and not just take my side - because he or she is my closest friend.

SCENARIOS

“Folks there’s a hurricane coming, you have to evacuate your home.”

“I’m not budging. I’m going to ride out the storm. I’ve been through at least 5 big hurricanes in my life - and it’s never that bad.”

“What ever happened to Harry?”

“Harry? Harry wouldn’t leave his home on the coast - so we don’t know what happened to Harry after the hurricane wiped out a whole section of the coast - just where the hurricane hit land.”

“The Pharaoh? Oh we’re going to find out tomorrow that the Pharaoh’s whole army was drowned in the sea - and not one of them escaped.” It doesn’t say if the Pharaoh himself survived - whether he just stood on the shore and gave orders or if he drowned as well. I’ll have to see the movie, “The Ten Commandments again.”

CONCLUSION

Lawrence Sterne in described this reality this way: “The name of perseverance in a good cause, and of obstinacy in a bad one.”

So obstinacy can also be good. It’s called “endurance”. It’s called “stick-to-it-tiveness.” It’s called “fidelity.” It’s called “perseverance” as Lawrence Sterne put it.

Today is the feast day of one of my favorite saints - St. Camillus de Lellis - who never gave up - in spite of multiple set backs. He heard “no” many times in his life - but that didn’t stop him for too long.

Today I’m challenging myself and all to reflect upon this theme of obstinacy in our life.